A Florida artist is facing a criminal charge after police say he smashed a $1 million vase at Miami's new art museum in what appears to be a form of protest.

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MIAMI (AP) -- A South Florida artist is facing criminal charge after smashing a $1 million vase at Miami's new art museum in what police say appears to be a form of protest.

Police say 51-year-old Maximo Caminero was charged with criminal mischief after Sunday's incident at the Perez Art Museum Miami. A security guard told officers that Caminero picked up a colored vase by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. When told to put it down, the security guard said Caminero smashed it on the floor.

A police affidavit says Caminero told officers he broke the vase to protest the museum's lack of local artist displays.

Caminero is a painter living in Miami. He declined comment when reached by phone Monday, saying he planned a news conference Tuesday.